ESPN says Tigers-Mariners trade talks slowed

It’s tough to know how serious trade talks are in any scenario during the Hot Stove League, but ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick is reporting that discussions between the Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers regarding pitcher Edwin Jackson and outfielder Curtis Granderson have slowed considerably.

Crasnick reports that a person familiar with the trade discussions says it’s “pretty doubtful” there is common ground for a deal between the two clubs, given the price the Tigers are asking for their two players.

Tigers outfielder Curtis Granderson had 30 home runs and 20 stolen bases last year for Detroit. (Getty Images/Jim McIsaac)

Detroit is trolling Jackson and Granderson in an effort to cut some payroll, but GM Dave Dombrowski isn’t going to let the two promising youngsters go without getting significant return.

Detroit News columnist Lynn Henning wrote a piece on Sunday in which he tosses out the names of Brandon Morrow, Matt Tuiasosopo and Carlos Triunfel as young prospects the Tigers would be interested for in exchange for Granderson and/or Jackson.

Henning notes that Dombrowski has a history of working with his Seattle counterpart, Jack Zduriencik, and that the two teams could be good dance partners in this deal.

Granderson is a talented 28-year-old who makes more sense for Seattle now that Zduriencik is talking about moving first-round draft pick Dustin Ackley to second base.

Granderson is a center fielder, but could move to left in spacious Safeco Field and play next to Franklin Gutierrez. He’s a lefty who hit 30 home runs with 20 stolen bases last year for the Tigers, a rare combination of power and speed.

But the Tigers are looking to shed payroll and Granderson is under contract for $23.75 million for the next three seasons ($5.5 million next year, $8.25 million in 2011 and $10 million in 2012).

Jackson, 26, is coming off a season in which he finished 13-9 with a 3.62 ERA and made the AL All-Star team. But the question with Jackson is whether that season was a step forward or a fluke, given his prior track record isn’t nearly as impressive, and there is a feeling the Tigers are trying to sell while his stock is high.

Jackson earned $2.2 million in 2009 and figures to get a healthy raise in arbitration this offseason.

Both Jackson and Granderson are players the Mariners surely would be interested in, but at what cost is the question. Morrow has been an enigma, but was a No. 1 draft pick with considerable promise. And Triunfel remains the M’s top prospect at 19 even after missing most of last season with a broken leg.

Personally, I’m fine with packaging Morrow and Tuiasosopo in any deal. But Triunfel? Nope, not going there. If he’s as good as the Mariners have been saying for several years now, that’s the one kid you hang on to and build around for the future.